Picturesque

Part Two: Crushed Hopes and M&M's

Harry sat on the picnic bench in the Weasley's garden. Dusk had been creeping over the horizon for a good hour, and the sky was now a rich dark blue. He had no idea where Hermione was, and Ron and the other Weasley's were inside, helping to clean the house, which Mrs. Weasley had deemed improper for guests.

The night air was warm and comforting, crickets chirping faithfully. Even the gnats which ventured to buzz around the picnic table couldn't ruin the perfect scene.

"Harry?"

Harry turned, startled out of his earlier state of mind. "Oh. Hermione."

"Sorry... Did I surprise you?" she asked, a book tucked under her arm. "No... It was just so quiet is all."

"It's beautiful out," she said, pausing for a moment to inhale the night air. She gave a satisfied sigh. "Ron showed me a hill near his house today... I never knew it was so rustic out here. I like it."

"Yeah," Harry agreed, feeling like he should say more. "It's a nice change." He glanced to the spot on the bench near him, and Hermione sat down.

"Were the Dursley's awfully horrible?" she asked solemnly.

Harry grinned. "No more horrible than usual. They do seem to leave me alone more now. And Dudley's been smuggling chocolates in all sorts of places. Andrea...That's his girlfriend... She found a Hershey's bar hidden amongst her makeup. And Uncle Vernon found three packets of M&M's hidden under the carpet by Dudley's bedroom." Harry's grin widened. "He stepped on two of the packets."

"Are they really as horrible as you tell me they are?"

"Yes," Harry said without hesitation. Hermione gave him a look of disapproval. "Honestly, they're terrible. But... Well, I feel kind of bad for them. Sometimes." He made a face. "Rarely, actually."

Hermione tried to give him a strict look, but ended up smiling instead.

"How've you been then?" Harry asked, secretly relieved to have escaped a lecture. "How's the famous Viktor Krum?"

Hermione listened to his words carefully. Harry didn't say Viktor's name with disgust. The same words coming from Ron would have been full of malice, but Harry was just asking a genuine question. Ron would be immature and jealous. He always was. Ron never would grow up. Ron needed to understand-

"Er... Hermione?" Harry watched her face. She had become completely lost in her thoughts.

"Oh. Um. Viktor's fine, I suppose," Hermione said airily. "He's visiting America now. He told me he has almost a hundred autographs signings scheduled over there."

"You spent well over half the summer with him," Harry said. "You must have gotten to know him a lot better and had a lot of fun. I mean... Personality-wise. Not...um...Not anything else-wise."

Hermione arched an eyebrow as she watched Harry blush. "Viktor and I broke up," she said cooly.

"Oh. You did?"

"Yes, we did."

Harry fidgeted uncomfortably, wishing he wasn't in this situation. In fact, he would have given almost anything to switch places with Lavender or Parvati at this moment. They'd know what to say. Harry would have offered sympathy, but Hermione didn't look especially ready to receive it. She seemed almost indifferent about the whole matter.

"Does Ron know?" Harry asked suddenly.

"Ron?" Hermione looked up sharply. "Ron?" she asked again, more softly. "Why would it be important to him? Why would he care?"

"Well-" Harry started.

"He wouldn't care." Hermione interrupted. "And besides, he doesn't deserve to know. He didn't even ask."

"Maybe he didn't want you to think he cared," Harry said with unusual perceptiveness.

"That's stupid," Hermione said. "Ron-" she stopped. "How did we even get on the topic of Ron? How does he figure into this? He doesn't."

"But-"

"End of conversation," Hermione said shortly. "Lumos," she whispered and turned to her book, emerging herself in it.

Harry watched her form bent over a book for a few moments. Finally he turned his gaze to the sky. Maybe he would find a way to let Ron know that Hermione and Viktor were no longer a couple...as long as he could do so without Hermione knowing. Harry had a feeling that despite what Hermione said, the news was important to Ron.

Then again, maybe he should keep himself from playing matchmaker and think about his own love life. Big success there. Somehow he didn't feel particularly flattered by Moaning Myrtle's interest in him, and the Yule Ball hadn't been one of Harry's greatest moments. He liked Cho and there was even a possibility that she might like him, but she had just lost Cedric. Harry knew he had to give her time with that. Besides, asking a girl out when she was very likely in despair seemed like a sleazy thing to do.

So far the girls that liked him the most had been Dudley's girlfriend and Moaning Myrtle. He had a feeling Parvati was more interested in him because he was Harry Potter, not because of Harry Potter. That was how it was with most girls. They liked him because of the famous ring in his name. Harry Potter himself meant little to them.

What am I getting so bitter about? Harry wondered to himself. "Hermione?" he asked suddenly.

"Mm?" she mumbled, not looking up from the book.

Harry leaned over and quickly kissed her.

Hermione stared at him. "Huh?"

Oh God. That was stupid. He just wanted to validate something... He wanted to know that someone would want to kiss him for who he was. Hermione wasn't friends with him for his fame. She knew who he was. Of course, soon she wouldn't be friends with him at all and-

Hermione kissed him back. Both recovering from surprise the two awkwardly continued their kiss. It was strange, Hermione thought. Instead of forgetting the world around her, she was intensely aware of everything except Harry and herself. She was aware of the darkening sky and the cricket that chirped close to her. She was aware of the light breeze. She was aware of-

Fred and George watching them from the window.

"Oh crap," she muttered, pushing Harry away from her quickly. Harry jumped up as he saw Fred and George grinning at them from the window. They both gave Harry thumbs up, then ducked out of view.

"Um..." Harry paused. "Um."

"What were you thinking?" Hermione snapped, suddenly angry.

"What was I thinking?!" Harry found his temper flaring easily. Maybe it was because he was flustered. "I wasn't exactly alone in that, you know." He glared at Hermione.

"You started it." Hermione ignored how childish that sounded and continued. "I was just sitting there reading my book. And suddenly- hey! There's Harry KISSING me. You could have warned me."

"Why is this all on me? You kissed me back. You were very eager. I guess now that Viktor's not here-"

"Shut up!" Hermione cried, slamming her book heavily on the picnic table.

"Or is it Ron you want?"

Hermione didn't answer. Instead she returned Harry's glare with an even fiercer one, sat down and began reading her book again.

"You can't escape from reality this time, Herm," Harry said, his voice quiet but hard. "Put down the book."

Hermione looked up at him before she could stop herself. Harry rarely got so commanding. Or so mean.

"Fine," she said. She calmly put down her book again. "What do you want to say?"

Harry stared blankly.

"Okay then." Hermione reached for her book.

"Wait... I... We have to deal with, um, this. I mean, it's not something we can shove under the carpet."

"Why not?" Hermione asked. It was an honest question.

"Because...Well... Like Dudley's M&M's, sooner or later someone is going to step on it."

"Real deep," Hermione grumbled, rolling her eyes.

"Look, I'm sorry that I'm throwing crappy metaphors at you-"

"It's a simile."

"Fine!" Harry exploded. "Crappy SIMILES then. I don't really care! I'm trying to tell you that we have to talk and sort this out."

"And I'm trying to tell you that I don't care to talk to you right now." Hermione gathered up her book and cloak.

"You can't run away from it."

"But I can walk away from it, can't I Harry?"

And she did just that, leaving Harry frowning behind her as she disappeared through the door of The Burrow.

~~~~

Ron lay back on his bed.

He wanted to throw something. Something really heavy. So heavy it might create a dent in the door. So heavy that when it crashed against the wall everybody in the house would jump and wonder what that noise could be.

Yeah, they could all take five seconds to confirm that they had heard the noise and wonder some more about it. That would be more attention than he usually got, wouldn't it? And even though after a moment all the residents of The Burrow would continue with their work, those five seconds? They would be his .

Ron knew his thoughts didn't make any sense, but there was something satisfactory in them all the same.

There was a knocking at the door. "Ron? You in there?"

Ron sighed. He didn't have to answer.

"Yeah," he said. "Come in."

Harry opened the door. "Your mum wanted me to tell you she found a better dress robe for you. It's secondhand but hey, it's naturally frilless. You want to go see it?"

"Later maybe," Ron's voice was emotionless.

"Okay," Harry said. "Say Ron, d'you know Bill may be stopping by tomorrow too?"

"Really?" Ron looked up at Harry and smiled sweetly. "Gee Harry, you sure do tell me everything."

Harry looked at him strangely for a moment, then slapped his forehead.

"Oh great... Did Fred and George tell you?"

"Tell me what Harry? Oh, don't tell me you're expecting a baby already!"

"Ron, would you stop being an idiot and listen!"

"Thanks for telling me you had feelings for Hermione by the way. And oh, if it's a boy," he said absentmindedly, ignoring Harry, "name it Ron, will you?"

"Ron... I don't think Hermione even likes me. Not romantically anyway... And now I'm not even sure she likes me as a friend."

"Doesn't like you, huh? Could have fooled me."

"You saw us?" When Harry got no answer he hurriedly continued. "Look Ron, I know you like Hermione or something-"

"You KNOW?" Ron exploded. "How the hell do you know?"

"From the way you look at her... Well, the way you look at her whenever you're not biting her head off. Plus, you were obviously jealous at the Yule Ball. And... Uh... I just figured maybe you did."

"You knew then," Ron said softly. "If you knew, why exactly did you KISS HER?!"

Harry had been pleased with himself for surprising Ron, who apparently didn't know anyone could guess his feelings for Hermione. However, this feeling of being pleased quickly disappeared when he saw the hurt in Ron's eyes. Harry didn't say anything.

"You knew, Harry. You knew who your best friend liked. Yet you still went ahead and got all...all...hot and heavy with her!"

"Hot and heavy?"

"Shut up! Way to be loyal, eh, Harry? But then I guess the great Harry Potter doesn't have to worry about little things like that... You know, why should Harry Potter care about being loyal to his best friend, the one who has always stuck by him in the long run? The amazing Harry Potter, he doesn't have to worry about-"

"I'm not just the amazing Harry Potter!" Harry shouted. "Why am I supposed to be perfect?! Why is everything always my fault? I'm not allowed to make mistakes! Why does everyone use my name as either an excuse or something to blame me for?"

"Poor Harry," Ron said, glaring. "God, WHY must he deal with his fame? Why must he be burdened with the many girls who'd love to date him?"

"Maybe I don't want all that," Harry said.

"No? That's funny, because I swear I just saw you kissing Hermione. Hermione, the one girl who wasn't all over you. I guess you couldn't take that, could you? Had to prove a point."

"It... It wasn't about proving a point..." Harry immediately felt guilty as he said that. Hadn't he kissed Hermione to prove a point? Hadn't he wanted to prove that maybe someone could like him for something other than his fame?

"I think it was," Ron said quietly after a moment, watching Harry's face.

"Shut your face Ron," Harry snapped, suddenly very angry. "You're just an idiot with a bad temper who hangs around delivering wannabe smart-ass comments. Why would Hermione want you? For your dashing good looks?"

Ron turned scarlet and bit his lip, glowering at Harry. Harry looked steadily back at him.

"I'm more than Harry Potter," he said, with a subdued force. "I'm also a fifteen year old boy."

Harry stepped out of Ron's room and slammed the door.

~~~

Stumbling out of Ron's room, Harry got little satisfaction from the door he slammed. First Hermione, now Ron.

Harry could even understand where Ron was coming from. He should have thought about Ron before he had kissed Hermione, but how was he supposed to know that Ron would be spying on them? He must trust me an awful lot, thought Harry dryly as he began to make his way downstairs.

He began to approach the kitchen for a drink, but was caught offguard when he caught sight of Fred, George and Hermione. They were seated around the kitchen table. Harry took a deep breath. He couldn't avoid Hermione for the rest of the summer.

As he walked forward he banged right into someone else, who tumbled to the floor.

"Oh... Sorry Ginny," Harry said, smiling kindly at her. Ginny had always been nice to him. He held out a hand to help her up. "I guess I'm just distracted."

But Ginny was looking at him stonily.

"Watch where you're going," was her angry reply, the last few words ending in a shout. She scrambled to her feet without his help and headed upstairs.

"Oookay..." muttered Harry. This just isn't my day, he thought, as he made his way into the kitchen where Fred, George and Hermione sat.

"Hey, Harry," George said, spotting him. He didn't sound very enthusiastic about it though.

Hermione stormed out the room.

Harry sighed.


Here ends part two of Picturesque a.k.a The Weasley's Have Too Many Windows. The next part should be longer and sappier. ;) Will Ron chill out with the italics? Will Harry learn the difference between metaphors and similes? Is it Hermione's time of the month or what? And speaking of Harry...will someone EVER give him a break?

Find out...
Next time: A slightly unexpected someone comforts Harry, Ron and Hermione get a moment to talk, and find out why Hermione kissed Harry... Besides the fact that he's the Amazing Harry Potter, I mean. ::gets thwapped by Harry:: Oh, and Charlie comes to visit! Yay! Will he bring Bertie Bott's Beans or Chocolate Frogs? Could this pressing issue of Bertie Bott's Beans Vs. Chocolate Frogs further complicated matters? Hmm...

Shiny mention o' thanks: To Rhi and Rb, who told me if my fic was incoherent ;) and listened to my babblings about how much fun it is to pick on Harry. ::gets thwapped by Harry again::
Thanks to everybody who reviewed- H/H fans and R/H fans alike!

I don't own Harry Potter OR M&Ms, so don't sue the Sad Broke Child.